ALCOHOL & WEIGHT LOSS

The aim of Alcohol Awareness week is to get you thinking about your alcohol intake.

Calories from alcohol are ‘empty calories’, as they have no nutritional value.

Understanding units of alcohol

Over the years, the alcohol content of most drinks has increased so a drink may contain more units of alcohol than you think.

Here’s a guide to the alcohol units of some common drinks

UK guidelines recommend that men and women drink no more than 14 units a week. It is important to spread your alcohol intake evenly across the week and ensure you plan a couple of alcohol-free days. Drinking more than this is considered “at risk” or “heavy” drinking.

Alcohol facts

Alcohol is rich in calories, 7 calories per gram

Alcohol increases your appetite which makes it hard if you are trying to lose weight

A healthy liver takes about an hour to process one unit of alcohol

Alcohol interferes with REM & deep sleep phases of your sleep cycle

Excess alcohol can cause liver disease and increases the risk of breast, colon and other cancers.